Former New Jersey Devils forward is latest example of the hypocrisy of the NHL Department of Player Safety

The New Jersey Devils have been on the wrong side of the NHL Department of Player Safety on multiple occasions. It goes back years, but some of the most egregious examples are Brad Marchand strategically elbowing Marcus Johansson in the head in 2018. Johansson missed more than two months, but Marchand was suspended for just five games. Matt Rempe, who already had a history of dirty hits against the Devils, was suspended just four games for his brutal, and seemingly purposeful, elbow to the head of Jonas Siegenthaler in 2024. 

Even the Devils have gotten away with some dirty hits, like Stefan Noesen’s hit on Tage Thompson a year ago. Noesen was given a match penalty for his hit to Thompson’s head, and Thompson appeared to be okay, but many would argue that a serious hit to the head like that deserves supplemental discipline. 

Meanwhile, Noesen did pay the piper. He fought Thompson, who’s about twice his size, the next time the Sabres and Devils matched up. After the fight, Thompson shared his respect for Noesen answering the bell, even if it was a year later. 

These are just a few of literally dozens of examples of the issues at the NHL Department of Player Safety. It’s always going to be controversial when there is an ultimate decision-maker for suspensions and things aren’t black-and-white. One hit to the head is not treated the same as the next hit to the head. One knee-to-knee contact is not treated the same as the next. And to our next example of a suspension-worthy hit, one boarding penalty is not treated similarly to the next. 

Former New Jersey Devils forward A.J. Greer made an egregious hit on Connor Zary. The hit was dangerous, scary, and worst of all, seemingly calculated. This wasn’t a bang-bang play where Greer made a split-second decision. He had time to think about where and how hard he was going to hit him, sending him face-first into the boards.

Now, we’re debating the quality of the suspension prior to the suspension even coming down, but the limits of the suspension already tell the story. Greer can only be suspended for a maximum of five games because the meeting with DPoS is over the phone and not in person. That is ratified through the NHL Players’ Association’s Collective Bargaining Agreement. 

Five games might feel like a lot, but it’s not nearly enough for this situation. There have been too many dangerous hits happening around the league, including hits that knocked stars like Auston Matthews out for the season. We’re not saying that we have to make rules that avoid all injuries, but the NFL put extreme measures in place to protect the stars, and they haven’t exactly lost viewers. 

The DoPS is never going to get them all right. However, their constant leaning towards less suspension sends a clear message that big hits are more reward than risk. Having someone like George Parros, who himself was considered a guy who played on the edge of dirty during his career, lead the Department of Player Safety might not work anymore. Brenden Shanahan actually had the organization in a decent place, even if he made controversial decisions. Now, it seems like the decisions have no bearing and don’t do enough to “punish” these hits. It’s why we’re only going to see more of them.